Mistake?

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So when I first graduated I applied to the hospitals like crazy, but every place I applied to told me they were looking for someone with more experience, so then I went to the LTC circuit, and got a job I love! I dont get paid as much as at the hospitals, but I have a great routine, I know every one of the residents I care for, and I am allowed to study on my down time between rounds. I love the people I work with, and even though I go home tired, sore, and covered in someones bodily fluids I am genuinely happy where I am at. Well I just got a couple calls from some of the hospitals I applied to and turned down their offers of a new job. I am torn. I so wanted to work in a hospital because I wanted that experience and if were being honest the pay is soo much better, but I keep turning down these offers, and now I am wondering if I am making a mistake. Am I crazy for wanting to stay in LTC? Just looking for words of encouragement. Thanks!!

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Specializes in LTC.

No, you're not crazy. You have a job you love and that's what matters.

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LTC needs people like you!

There are too many nurses and CNAs who are just showing up for the paycheck until something that they perceive as better comes along.

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I don't believe you made a mistake. You sound comfortable right where you are at. YOU, dear, are making a difference in those lives!!

If you don't "need" the money, I would stay with what you love. I admire you for your service in LTC.

Take care...:saint:

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It's so awesome to see someone that loves LTC. Residents and Administrations need more CNA's like you!

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Thanks Everyone!! I just needed to know I'm not crazy. Everyone around me is keeps telling me how crazy and dumb I am for passing up the oppurtunities, but I just feel like my peace of mind and happiness are more important than making an extra couple bucks. I so appreciate the kind words!!:heartbeat

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Thanks Everyone!! I just needed to know I'm not crazy. Everyone around me is keeps telling me how crazy and dumb I am for passing up the oppurtunities, but I just feel like my peace of mind and happiness are more important than making an extra couple bucks. I so appreciate the kind words!!:heartbeat

I don't think you're crazy for wanting to stay in LTC. LTC benefits from having people like you. But you do seem to be ambivalent about this. Why not at least go for the hospital interview(s) and get a better idea of what that type of job will involve? That way, you won't feel so torn if, in the end, you decide to stay in LTC.

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I agree, LTC needs more people like you. Enjoy and don't look back :)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I think its pretty simple. If you can afford to stay in the LTC job that you have now then I would just stay. You have found a place where you are happy and are appreciated (which these days is becoming somewhat of a rarity.) So stick with what you like. If you can't afford to continue working at the LTC facility that you are at then I would suggest you take a part time or per diem hospital job and try to hold on to the job you have now so that if the hospital job is really bad then you still have your other job to fall back on.

!Chris :specs:

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I have to agree with the other posters. You have found what so many people go their whole lives only wishing for. Stay where you are and be happy. The pay may be better, but you sure won't be sitting as a hospital employee. :redbeathe

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It sounds like you 100% LOVE your job! How many people are lucky enough to honestly say that? I think you would regret it even more if you left where you are now. Also, I'm very surprised to hear that hospitals pay more, because from what I've always heard and read, hospitals pay less, because it is not hard to find people who want to work for them and LTC's pay more, because it is harder to get help. So there's two great reasons to stay! The first reason being the absolute best! I'm happy to hear that you love your job so much! It gives me hope during the job searching process that I am in. I can tell you one thing I know for sure - when it comes down to it, I care more about working with people that care as much as I do, than about the money. People don't enjoy going to work because of the money they are making. People enjoy going to work because they look forward to doing a job that they love and seeing people that they care about. I think you are totally doing the right thing by staying! I hope I find people like you at my future job!

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

In my experience, hospitals pay more and I believe its because people tend to be pretty ill and all staff needs to be on top of every pt. CNA's do more technical duties in hospitals. When I was a CNA, my job was to collect vitals 2x's per shift, perform guiac stool specs, blood sugars, ekg's, assist with getting whatever was needed for codes, and I even had to learn telementary (and do that every shift for 2-4hrs). When I worked ltc, I had to help with adl's, get vitals (every once in awhile on 1 or 2 residents) and run my butt off trying to get everyone cleaned up and in bed. If a resident was ill, we shipped them to the hospital, pronto.

Both are exhausting, just in different ways. I found that I grow to love many things about both. The important thing is your happy. I just passed my lpn boards and I applied at my old ltc place, which I loved!

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